LEISURE managers in Darlington are offering young people a chance to take control of their own club.

A grant from the Awards For All lottery group will be used to relaunch the Friday Night Club at the town's Eastbourne Sports Complex - and organisers hope to eventually hand its running over to those who use it.

Youngsters aged between 11 and 16 are being urged to attend a meeting later this week to have their say over what they want to do at the club.

It is hoped the youngsters will opt for courses geared towards their career aspirations, as well as the current range of sports and leisure activities already available at the complex

Janet Cooper, youth sports development officer for Darlington Borough Council, said: "It is based mostly on sporting activities, but also if the young people come along and say they would like a course in hair and beauty or mechanics, or whatever, we will look into that. At the end of the day, it's what they want to do."

Miss Cooper said the move was a response to the lack of facilities in the surrounding area.

She said: "It has been identified that in places like the Lascelles and Eastbourne areas there isn't a lot of things to do for the children in terms of leisure provision and we are trying to make young people aware of what's available at the complex, but at the same time we don't want to dictate what they do."

Eventually, the youngsters will be given a chance to lead themselves with the help of such courses as the community and junior sports leadership awards.

September 28 will see the actual re-launch of the club following the £3,200 lottery award.

Youngsters are invited to the complex for the meeting between 7pm and 8pm tomorrow (Friday).